I've wanted to see the movie after watching the preview on FIOS. Ideally I want to watch this movie with group of girl friends. Lot of my friends have moved or married or had first/second baby. These days it's too difficult even to schedule something. When schedule works out one of the kids will fall sick or something else will happen.
I've accepted the fact I can no longer rely on my girl friend's company .I've made myself comfortable going to the theater alone. But I haven't gone to theater since NR's birth. I wanted to go for Avatar but it never worked out. CB knew I was eager to watch this movie, he persuaded me to go for the movie. I decided to go for the movie last Wednesday for 7.20pm show. NR skipped his nap so that day's schedule got completely messed up. By time I finished making dinner for us and him, it was already 7.20pm. I could not go that day.
Last Saturday NR decided to play all day and skip his nap. CB urged me to go the movie in the evening when they went for their usual evening routine. I took shower and hopped to the movie theater. I reached the theater just on time. I got my chai latte and walked to the room airing EAT, PRAY and LOVE.
The theater was not crowded but all the good seats had been taken. I always sit at the top row and found couple of seats empty between two set of people. I chose to sit next to two old women. I got seated comfortably and took first sip of my chai latte. It was horrible (reminder to myself - Never buy chai latte from Regal cinema halls). The old woman next to me smiled and said “Just in time ha”. I said yes and told her that I am coming to the theater after 3 yrs.
The movie started around 7.30pm or so. We hardly watched the movie for 20 – 30 minutes suddenly the firm alarm light started flashing. They stopped the movie. We sat there for ten minutes and one women audience was kind enough to check the status and informed the audience about fire alarm. Then a staff came and asked us to go the parking lot at the west side of the theater.
Audiences from all the theaters got evacuated and assembled near the entrance. It was little quiet and chaotic at times. My new friends aged 68 and 77 started talking to me. They asked about my son and showed them his picture from my cell phone. We continued to talk for next 20 minutes.
The theater staff issued pass to watch the movie again. This pass is valid for next one year. They also gave option to watch the movie once the fire department left the venue. But they were not sure when the Fire department would finish checking issue. This false fire alarm had happened thrice this week so the staffs were familiar with the drill.
Three of us decided to get back home but when I reached my car, I saw the crowd going back to the theater. I ran to my new friends and gave the news. We decided to watch the movie again. We went in and continued our conversation. They gave their email and address. The older woman has a house in the country side (which is just 15 minutes from my house; ) and invited me to bring NR to her home .
Everybody clapped when the movie started. Just ten minutes into the movie, the fire alarm started flashing again. This time the staff came and announced that this was yet another false alarm so they will start the movie again. Just when he finished announcing, we all heard his supervisor informing him to evacuate the audience.
The older woman jokingly asked the staff (in his teens) to issue another ticket. Her friend silenced her and said we will get another one on the way. I really felt as if I am with my college friends. These two retired women were so much fun . While exiting older of the two went and got second pass. The theater management never checked the tickets and was happy to distribute as many requested . She got one for me. I felt little shy to accept it but I was not able to say “NO” to two friendly souls.
While walking to the parking lot they both said it was meant for three of us to meet. I nodded my head. The same thought flashed in my mind few sec before.
The Movie god was not happy with me this time. I watched only the “EAT” part of the movie(EAT,PRAY,LOVE) but I got two more tickets. I enjoyed my evening with my new friends. That evening was meant for a three people to meet and say hello. I could not believe all the drama that happened this Saturday including me spotting my husband and son in our SUV at the signal. We waved at each other. I felt little guilty for going to the theater alone leaving them behind.
My son got his wish too. I got back home, right in time for his bed after shopping for groceries at Safeway.
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